Coil packaging, method and apparatus for forming same

ABSTRACT

A packaged coil of steel strip material is provided by wrapping a stiff protective material around the outer circumference of the coil to provide overhanging projections of protective material at each end of the coil and then deforming the projections radially inwardly to overlie the end faces. The wrapping material is corrugated along its longitudinal edges to facilitate its radially inward deformation by passing it through cooperating pairs of toothed crimping wheels prior to wrapping it around the coil. The radially inward deformation of the corrugated edges of the wrapping material is carried out by fluted pressure rollers acting at the end faces of the coil.

'United States Patent 1191 Reed et al.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 [73] Assignee: British Steel Corporation, London,

England [22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1974 21 Appl.No.:5l9,588

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 15, 1973 United Kingdom 52989/73 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,654,258 12/1927 Hooper 53/203 Howsam et al. 29/511 UX 1,991,182 2/1935 Smith 29/509 2,027,380 1/1936 Hawker 206/407 2,165,379 7/1939 Hiers 29/505 2,212,668 8/1940 Mirfield 206/397 3,059,386 10/1962 Vorrath et al. 53/13 3,111,795 11/1963 Trostel et a1 53/32 3,160,275 12/1964 Berquist 206/400 3,221 ,403 12/1965 Simonton... 29/51 1 3,670,877 6/1972 Reed 53/13 Primary Examiner-Charlie T. Moon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bacon & Thomas [57] ABSTRACT A packaged coil of steel strip material is provided by wrapping a stiff protective material around the outer circumference of the coil to provide overhanging projections of protective material at each end of the coil and then deforming the projections radially inwardly to overlie the end faces. The wrapping material is corrugated along its longitudinal edges to facilitate its radially inward deformation by passing it through cooperating pairs of toothed crimping wheels prior to wrapping it around the coil. The radially inward deformation of the corrugated edges of the wrapping material is carried out by fluted pressure rollers acting at the end faces of the coil.

25 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 3,921,803

N mI US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet30f3 3,921,803

COIL PACKAGING, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SAME Coils of strip material such as steel strip have to be packaged to protect them during transit. It is usual to package coils of steel strip by hand, usually by wrapping turns of sub-standard strip around the coil, holding them in position with straps and bending portions of the wrapping strip around the ends of the coil. This is very time consuming and does not provide a very protective package. Proposals have also been made, for example,

axially outwardly directed overhanging projections around the outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil and deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the outer circumferential edge at each respective end of the coil to overlie partially the axial face of each end of the coil.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a packaged coil of strip material wherein a sheet-like member of stiff protective material is wrapped around the outer circumference of the coil, the protective material having corrugations in each longitudinal edge thereof at the outer circumferential edge respectively at each end of the coil and said corrugated edges being deformed radially inwardly to overlie partially the respective axial face of each end of the coil.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use in packaging a coil of strip material comprising means for wrapping a sheet-like member of stiff protective material around the outer circumference of the coil, the width of the protective material being greater than the axial dimension of the coil whereby an axially outwardly directed overhangingprojection of protective material is provided at the outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil; means for imparting a series of corrugations to the longitudinal edges of the material before it is wrapped around the coil and means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the outer circumferential edge at each respective end of the coil to overlie partially the axial face of each end of the coil.

A protective member may be located on the axial face of each end of the coil before the protective material is deformed radially inwardly whereby after such deformation the protective member is overlaid partially by the radially inwardly deformed corrugated edges of the protective material. The protective material may comprise a single strip thereof or two or more over-lapping strips of such material and is preferably formed of a metal such as, for example, sheet steel. The protective member may be paper, metal such as steel, or fibrous or plastics material and is conveniently of annular configuration.

The means for corrugating the edges of the protective material conveniently comprises a pair of rollers of fluted configuration through which passes the protective material whilst the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material may comprise at least one roller locatable adjacent an axial end face of the coil for applying pressure to the corrugated edges of the protective material for deforming them radially inwardly to overlie partially said axial end face.

The means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material may comprise two rollers locatable at an axialend face of the coil, a first one of such rollers being located with its axis of rotation inclined towards said end face for initially deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the circumferential edge of the coil and a second one of such rollers being located with its axis of rotation parallel to the plane containing the axial end face of the coil for fully deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material into said plane to overlie partially said axial end face of the coil.

Alternatively the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material may comprise a single roller locatable at an axial end face of the coil and which is mounted for pivotal movement between a first position in which its axis of rotation is inclined towards said end face for initially deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the circumferential edge of the coil and a second position in which its axis of rotation is parallel to the plane containing the axial end face of the coil for fully deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material into said plane to overliepartially said axial end face of the coil.

The or each such roller may be of parallel-sided fluted configuration.

A plurality of spaced perforations may be formed in the protective material before it is wrapped around the circumference of the coil, such perforations being formed in the apices of respective upstanding frustoconical or similarly shaped projections which, when the protective material is wrapped around the coil, extend radially outwardly of the protective material in spaced circumferential relation with one another. Such perforations permit drainage of water which may accumulate inside the packaged coil whilst at the same time, by nature of their frusto-conical configurations, substantially prevent the direct entry of rain water therethrough if the package is exposed to the elements.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of packaging apparatus in accordance with the invention together with a coil about to be packaged,

FIG. 2 is a plan view to an enlarged scale of a detail of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is side elevation to an enlarged scale of a detail of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a coil packaged according to the invention.

Like references are used to denote like parts in all the Figures.

The packaging apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a table 1 for feeding a sheet like member 2 of a protective material cut to a suitable' length from a dis pensing device (not shown) to the outer circumference of a coil 3 of steel strip. The protective material is relatively stiff, such as a metal sheet, and in this embodiment comprises sheet steel. The sheet 2 may comprise a single steel strip or two or more overlapping steel strips. The coil 3 is mounted on rollers 4, 5 and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The sheet 2 is driven towards the outer circumference of the coil 3 by means of a pair of co-operating rollers 6, 7 through which the sheet 2 is fed prior to being wrapped around the coil 3. As will be seen from FIG. 2, two pairs of rollers 6, 7 are provided, one located a short distance in from each longitudinal edge of the sheet 2. The upper roller 6 of each pair is provided with two axially spaced annular grooves 8 of radial depth sufficient to receive two cooperating rings of frusto-conical radially outwardly extending studs 9 located on the circumference of the respective lower roller 7.

In an alternative arrangement, the grooves 8 are replaced by a plurality of dimples or recesses which intermesh with the studs 9; in this arrangement the rollers 6, 7 are geared together to ensure correct phasing of the rollers.

Passage of the sheet 2 between each pair of rollers 6, 7 propels the sheet towards the coil 3 and causes two axially extending rows of spaced apart perforations 10 to be formed in the sheet 2. The perforations 10 are formed in the apices of respective frusto-conical projections. It will, of course, be appreciated that the perforated projections 10 may be arranged in any suitable pattern towards the edges of the sheet 2 by suitable cooperating rollers. The perforations l0 permit drainage of water which may accumulate inside the packaged coil whilst at the same time, by nature of their frustoconical configurations, substantially prevent the direct entry of rain water therethrough if the package is exposed to the elements.

After leaving the rollers 6, 7 the edges of the sheet 2 are corrugated by means of a pair of co-operating crimping wheels 11. As will be seen more clearly from FIG. 3, each crimping wheel is of general frusto-conical shape and includes a plurality of outwardly extending teeth 13 which co-operate to produce corrugations 14 along each edge of the sheet. The crimping wheels 11 are carried by respective spindles 15 which have mounted on their ends remote from the wheels 11 gears 16 which intermesh to ensure correct phasing of the crimping wheels 11. In an unillustrated embodiment, the rollers 6, 7 and the crimping wheels 11 are carried on a common shaft.

On leaving the crimping wheels 11, the sheet 2 is fed to and about the outer circumference of the coil 3. A sheet of waterproof paper may be interposed between the surface of the coil and the sheet 2 of protective material. The coil 3 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis to pull the sheet 2 tightly around its circumference, care being taken to ensure that the coil 3 has been centred relative to the sheet 2 so that, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the corrugated edge portions of the sheet define axially outwardly directed over-hanging projections 17 around the outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil 3. The ends of the sheet 2 are then spot welded together to hold the sheet in position.

A generally planar protective member 18 of, for example, paper, metal such as mild steel, fibre board or a plastics material is located adjacent each end of the coil 3.

In the embodiment illustrated, the protective member 18 comprises a steel annulus having cushioning material 19, for example polyurethane foam, arranged so that the cushioning 19 is pressed against the coil to prevent damage thereto. The outer diameter of the annu lar member 18 is slightly less than the internal diameter of the wrapped sheet 2 and the inner diameter of the member 18 is preferably approximately the same as the diameter of the eye of the coil 3. An annular member having a foam coating is described in greater detail in US. Pat. application No. 346,040.

In an unillustrated embodiment of the present invention the member 18 is not provided with a protective coating 19.

Each axially outwardly directed overhanging corrugated projection 17 of the sheet 2 is deformed radially inwardly to partly overlap the respective member 18 and the cushioning 19 by means of a pair of parallel sided fluted rollers 20, 21 which are urged into contact with each projection 17 in turn as the coil 3 is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The rollers 20, 21 are respectively carried by support members 22, 23 which are slidable in guides 24, 25 formed in a plate 26 movable towards and away from the coil 3. The roller 20 is positioned with its axis of rotation inclined to the vertical such that a line drawn around to the axis of rotation passes through the circumferential edge of the projection 17 in contact with the roller and through the centre point of the rotational axis of the coil 3. The roller 20 is firstly moved into contact with the edge of the projection 17 to turn the edge inwardly towards the end face of the coil. The roller 20 is then moved out of and the upstanding roller 21 moved into contact with the edge to bend the edge radially inwardly into contact with the member 18. The flutes set into the surface of the roller 21 are of the same pitch as the corrugations 14 formed in the longitudinal edges of the sheet 2 so that they intermesh with the corrugations as the coil 3 is rotated. The surface of the roller 20 need not be fluted.

In an unillustrated embodiment, only one fluted roller is provided. In this embodiment, the roller is initially set in the position indicated for roller 20 and then, after the projection 17 has been turned inwardly, re-set in the position indicated for roller 21 to bend the projection radially inwardly into contact with the member 18.

It will be appreciated that the corrugations which are applied to the edges of the sheet prior to the sheet being wrapped around the coil enable the sheet edges to be turned radially inwardly over the circumferential edges of the coil with relative ease to produce a satisfactory package.

We claim 1. A method of packaging a coil of strip material comprising the steps of feeding a sheet-like member of stiff protective material towards the circumference of the coil; corrugating each longitudinal edge of the protective material; wrapping the protective material around the outer circumference of the coil so that the corrugated edges of the protective material define axially outwardly directed overhanging projections around the outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil and deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the outer circumferential edge at each respective end of the coil to overlie partially the axial face of each end of the coil. I

2. A method according to claim 1 including the further step of locating a protective member on the axial face of each end of the coil before the protective material is deformed radially inwardly and subsequently deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly to overlie partially the protective member.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the protective member comprises a metal annulus.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the protective member comprises a fibrous or plastics annulus.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein resilient cushioning material is located between the protective member and the end face of the coil.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the sheetlike member of protective material comprises two or more overlapping strips of such material.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the protective mate ial is a metal.

8. A method according to claim 1 including the further step of forming a series of spaced-apart perforations in the protective material before it is wrapped around the circumference of the coil whereby, when said material is wrapped around the coil, the perforations are disposed adjacent each end of thecoil in spaced circumferential relation with one another.

9. A packaged coil of strip material wherein a sheetlike member of stiff protective material is wrapped around the outer circumference of the coil, the protective material having corrugations in each longitudinal edge thereof at the outer circumferential edge respectively at each end of the coil and said corrugated edges being deformed radially inwardly to overlie partially the respective axial face of each end of the coil.

10. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein a protective member is located on the axial face of each end of the coil and is overlaid partially by the radially inwardly deformed corrugated edges of the protective material.

11. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein the protective member comprises a metal annulus.

12. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein the protective member comprises a fibrous or plastics annulus.

13. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein resilient cushioning material is located between the protective member and the end face of the coil.

14. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein the sheet-like member of protective material comprises two or more overlapping strips of such material.

15. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein the protective material is a metal.

16. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced perforations are provided in the protective material adjacent each end of the coil.

17. A package as claimed in claim 16 wherein the perforations are provided at the apices of respective upstanding frusto-conical projections extending radially outwardly of the coil.

18. Apparatus for use in packaging a coil of strip material comprising means for wrapping a sheet-like member of stiff protective material around the outer circumference of the coil, the width of the protective material being greater than the axial dimension of the coil whereby an axially outwardly directed overhanging projection of protective material is provided at the 6 outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil; means for imparting a series of corrugations to the longitudinal edges of the material before it is wrapped around the coil and means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the outer circumferential edge at each respective end of the coil to overlie partially the axial face of each end of the coil.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means for corrugating the edges of the protective material comprises a pair of rollers of fluted configuration through which passes the protective material.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material comprises at least one roller locatable adjacent an axial end face of the coil for applying pressure to the corrugated edges of the protective material for deforming them radially inwardly to overlie partially said axial end face.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material comprises two rollers locatable at an axial end face of the coil, a first one of such rollers being located with its axis of rotation inclined towards said end face for initially deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the circumferential edge of the coil and a second one of such rollers being located with its axis of rotation parallel to the plane containing the axial end face of the coil for fully deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material into said plane to overlie partially said axial end face of the coil.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material comprises a single roller locatable at an axial end face of the coil and which is mounted for pivotal movement between a first position in which its axis of rotation is inclined towards said end face for initially deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the circumferential edge of the coil and a second position in which its axis of rotation is parallel to the plane containing the axial end face of the coil for fully deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material into said plane to overlie partially said axial end face of the coil.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the or each roller is of parallel-sided fluted configuration.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 including means for forming a series of spaced-apart perforations in the protective material before it is wrapped around the circumference of the coil whereby, when said material is wrapped around the coil, the perforations are disposed adjacent each end of the coil in spaced circumferential relation with one another.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said perforating means comprises a pair of cooperating rollers through which passes the protective material, one of said rollers being provided with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting studs to form the perforations in cooperation with the other roller. 

1. A method of packaging a coil of strip material comprising the steps of feeding a sheet-like member of stiff protective material towards the circumference of the coil; corrugating each longitudinal edge of the protective material; wrapping the protective material around the outer circumference of the coil so that the corrugated edges of the protective material define axially outwardly directed overhanging projections around the outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil and deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the outer circumferential edge at each respective end of the coil to overlie partially the axial face of each end of the coil.
 2. A method according to claim 1 including the further step of locating a protective member on the axial face of each end of the coil before the protective material is deformed radially inwardly and subsequently deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly to overlie partially the protective member.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the protective member comprises a metal annulus.
 4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the protective member comprises a fibrous or plastics annulus.
 5. A method according to claim 2 wherein resilient cushioning material is located between the protective member and the end face of the coil.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the sheet-like member of protective material comprises two or more overlapping strips of such material.
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the proteCtive material is a metal.
 8. A method according to claim 1 including the further step of forming a series of spaced-apart perforations in the protective material before it is wrapped around the circumference of the coil whereby, when said material is wrapped around the coil, the perforations are disposed adjacent each end of the coil in spaced circumferential relation with one another.
 9. A packaged coil of strip material wherein a sheet-like member of stiff protective material is wrapped around the outer circumference of the coil, the protective material having corrugations in each longitudinal edge thereof at the outer circumferential edge respectively at each end of the coil and said corrugated edges being deformed radially inwardly to overlie partially the respective axial face of each end of the coil.
 10. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein a protective member is located on the axial face of each end of the coil and is overlaid partially by the radially inwardly deformed corrugated edges of the protective material.
 11. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein the protective member comprises a metal annulus.
 12. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein the protective member comprises a fibrous or plastics annulus.
 13. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein resilient cushioning material is located between the protective member and the end face of the coil.
 14. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein the sheet-like member of protective material comprises two or more overlapping strips of such material.
 15. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein the protective material is a metal.
 16. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced perforations are provided in the protective material adjacent each end of the coil.
 17. A package as claimed in claim 16 wherein the perforations are provided at the apices of respective upstanding frusto-conical projections extending radially outwardly of the coil.
 18. Apparatus for use in packaging a coil of strip material comprising means for wrapping a sheet-like member of stiff protective material around the outer circumference of the coil, the width of the protective material being greater than the axial dimension of the coil whereby an axially outwardly directed overhanging projection of protective material is provided at the outer circumferential edge at each end of the coil; means for imparting a series of corrugations to the longitudinal edges of the material before it is wrapped around the coil and means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the outer circumferential edge at each respective end of the coil to overlie partially the axial face of each end of the coil.
 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means for corrugating the edges of the protective material comprises a pair of rollers of fluted configuration through which passes the protective material.
 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material comprises at least one roller locatable adjacent an axial end face of the coil for applying pressure to the corrugated edges of the protective material for deforming them radially inwardly to overlie partially said axial end face.
 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material comprises two rollers locatable at an axial end face of the coil, a first one of such rollers being located with its axis of rotation inclined towards said end face for initially deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the circumferential edge of the coil and a second one of such rollers being located with its axis of rotation parallel to the plane containing the axial end face of the coil for fully deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material into said plane to overlie partially said axial end face of the cOil.
 22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for deforming the overhanging corrugated edges of the protective material comprises a single roller locatable at an axial end face of the coil and which is mounted for pivotal movement between a first position in which its axis of rotation is inclined towards said end face for initially deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material radially inwardly over the circumferential edge of the coil and a second position in which its axis of rotation is parallel to the plane containing the axial end face of the coil for fully deforming the corrugated edges of the protective material into said plane to overlie partially said axial end face of the coil.
 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the or each roller is of parallel-sided fluted configuration.
 24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 including means for forming a series of spaced-apart perforations in the protective material before it is wrapped around the circumference of the coil whereby, when said material is wrapped around the coil, the perforations are disposed adjacent each end of the coil in spaced circumferential relation with one another.
 25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said perforating means comprises a pair of cooperating rollers through which passes the protective material, one of said rollers being provided with a plurality of radially outwardly projecting studs to form the perforations in cooperation with the other roller. 